From “The Hymn” by John Milton in Christmas Poems, selected by David Stanford Burr:
At last surrounds their sight
A globe of circular light
That with long beams
the shamefaced night arrayed;
The helmed Cherubim
And sworded Seraphim
Are seen in glittering ranks
with wings displayed,
Harping in loud and solemn choir
With unexpressive notes,
to Heaven’s new-born Heir:
Such music (as tis said)
Before was never made
But when of old the sons
of morning sung,
While the Creator great
His constellations set
And the well-balanced world
on hinges hung;
And cast the dark foundations deep,
And bid the weltering waves
their oozy channel keep.
Ring out, ye crystal spheres!
Once bless our human ears,
If ye have power to touch our senses so;
And let your silver chime
Move in melodious time;
And let the bass of Heaven’s deep organ blow;
And with your ninefold harmony
Make up full consort to the angelic symphony.
